Another Shot At Pistons

Heat Is Rested, Healthy And Ready For A Detroit Rematch

May 22, 2006|By Ira Winderman Staff Writer

MIAMI — Enough.

That was Pat Riley's attitude as he emerged after Sunday evening's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena, after Detroit had secured the opposing berth in the Eastern Conference finals with a 79-61 Game 7 rout of the visiting Cavaliers an hour earlier.

The Heat coach could have been speaking about the six-day layoff his team will take into Tuesday's opener of the best-of-7 series at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Instead, he was talking about what seems like 50 weeks of excuse-making since Detroit overcame a deficit in the final two minutes of Game 7 to win last year's Eastern Conference finals.

Enough, Riley said. Enough of the talk of how center Shaquille O'Neal entered that series with a bruised thigh. Enough of how guard Dwyane Wade injured a rib muscle in Game 5. Enough of how guard Damon Jones limped through the seven games on a bruised heel. And enough of how an eight-day layoff before that series left the team ragged.

"We always had an excuse about last year. Everybody," Riley said. "You guys talked about it, the players talked about it: We had guys hurt. We had too much time off. And so, there was always an excuse.

"There's none now. It really doesn't make any difference. The two best teams in the East are going to play and it's going to all be about who's going to play the best."

The Pistons return virtually the same core that rebounded from a 3-2 series deficit last season to close out the series on the Heat's home floor. The Heat returns not only with new starters in forward Antoine Walker and guard Jason Williams, but with Riley having moved from the front office back to the bench.

"I mean this is what everybody expected," power forward Udonis Haslem said. "I guess this is what everybody wanted to see. It's time for the games everybody wants to talk about to happen."

Detroit not only advanced to last season's NBA Finals in seven games, where they lost in seven to San Antonio, but has won eight of the past 12 meetings from the Heat dating to April 2005.

But even since the teams' most recent meeting in Detroit, the Heat has redefined itself. Since that Pistons victory, Walker has emerged as a starter and James Posey has shifted to the role of second-team defensive stopper.

Then there are the players dealt last summer who were so instrumental in last year's East finals, such as Eddie Jones, Damon Jones and Keyon Dooling.

"Different coach, different personnel -- they are a totally different team from the one we faced last year," Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said.

Indeed, beyond Walker and Williams, this will be the first Heat-Pistons playoff series for the Heat's Posey, Gary Payton and Derek Anderson.

Walker said talk about a developing rivalry, therefore, is overstated.

"I don't know what happened last year. I didn't even watch that series. I was on vacation," he said. "I don't know what went on. I don't care. We only have like three guys that played against them last year."

But those who return, such as Wade, O'Neal, Haslem and backup center Alonzo Mourning, remember the feeling of moving to a 3-2 lead, only to see Wade injure his ribs in Game 5, miss Game 6 and then hobble through Game 7.

Now, there is health throughout the roster.

"We went through everything we went through back to the same two teams in the Eastern Conference," Wade said. "They're a tough, grind-out team. When you think you've got them, you don't."

Just as Pistons players downplayed their quick turnaround from Sunday's victory to Tuesday's 8 p.m. tipoff, so did the Heat minimize the impact of its layoff since last Tuesday's elimination of New Jersey.

"We're happy to be here and we have no excuses, whatsoever. We're rested," Riley said. "We're healthy. I think we're happy. And I hope we're humble, or more humble."

To those who remain, last year's ouster resonates.

"I think it's only fitting that we do go through Detroit," Mourning said. "Considering what happened last year, it's only fitting."

Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@sun-sentinel.com.

HEAT VS. PISTONS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

When: Best-of-7 series opens Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Tickets: For Games 3 and 4 at AmericanAirlines Arena already on sale at www.heat.com, Ticketmaster outlets and 1-800-4NBA-TIX. Tickets for potential Game 6 at AmericanAirlines Arena to go on sale once game becomes necessary.